Fresh #70m Fraud Exposed in Nasarawa state teacher Recruitment Investigation

 

New details have surfaced in the ongoing investigation into the alleged employment fraud at the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (TSC), with suspects implicating the commission’s former chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar Gada, in a ₦70 million job racketeering scheme.  

Appearing before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly’s investigative panel on Tuesday (July 1, 2025), several civil servants admitted to facilitating illegal employment deals, with funds allegedly traced to an account linked to the ex-TSC boss.  

One key witness, Mr. Yamush Amos, an official at the State Ministry of Education, confessed to selling 101 teaching slots for between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000 each. He claimed he transferred ₦40 million to an Access Bank account named Muzafa Universal Domicile* under the directive of Isa Umar, the former chairman’s aide.  

Similarly, Mr. Bilyyaminu Muhammad Baburo, a teacher at Government Secondary School, Nakere, admitted selling around 200 appointment letters and receiving ₦5 million as commission. He confirmed depositing ₦30 million into the same account. Both individuals insisted their actions were approved by the ex-TSC chairman and appealed for leniency.  

Another figure questioned was Mr. Muhammad Abubakar Muhammad, Special Adviser on Government Affairs, who submitted 50 names for employment without the governor’s approval. He acknowledged that half of the listed candidates received fake appointment letters and commended the Assembly for exposing the scam. Shockingly, he revealed that recruitment continued even after the governor dissolved the former TSC board.  

In a separate testimony, former TSC part-time member Mr. Kreki Francis disclosed that despite being allocated five employment slots, none of his nominees were hired. He further alleged that some beneficiaries were still secondary school students.  

Reacting to the state government’s decision to retain only 781 out of 4,243 newly recruited teachers—based on a consulting firm’s recommendation—the committee chairman, Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazi, maintained that the Assembly’s investigation remains independent.  

“Our work is not influenced by external decisions. We will conclude our findings and present the truth to the people of Nasarawa,” Ogazi stated.  

He also challenged a recent press statement by the current TSC chairman, demanding to know who authorized the release. The committee plans to summon him for clarification.  

Additionally, the panel has insisted that representatives of the consulting firm involved in the screening process must appear before it, despite their request for more time to consult lawyers.  

The Assembly has urged all victims who paid for teaching jobs to come forward with evidence and testify before the committee on Monday at the Lafia Assembly Complex by 10 a.m.